The Hindu Business Line : Research funds for C-DIT

THE Centre for Development of Imaging Technology (C-DIT) here has been awarded central funding to the tune of Rs 1.25 crore by the Department of Technology of the Union Government for undertaking two innovative projects.

The projects aim at development of `volume bragg gratings' for fibre optic communication and `refreshable tactile graphic displays' for the visually impaired.

According to officials at C-DIT, volume bragg gratings (VGBs) are versatile new generation volume holographic optical elements that have a variety of applications in fibre optic networking such as wavelength division multiplexing and de-multiplexing. The main advantages of these new generation holographic optical elements are large storage area, high-speed access, high efficiency, multiple function capability and mass production flexibility.

The officials said that holographic storage provides dramatic advances in both data storage density and transfer rates required for the latest Internet applications and data warehousing.

For C-DIT, this is a product level research project leading to commercial production after performance optimisation. Recent research advances at IBM and Bell Labs had indicated that commercialisation of holographic storage was possible, they said.

The duration of the project is two years with a total outlay of Rs 74 lakh. The research and development centre of NeST will function as the industrial partner for the characterisation and commercialisation of VBGs to be developed at C-DIT.

The other project envisages the development of refreshable tactile graphic displays (RTGDs) that renders three-dimensional images. The images will be displayed by using an array of rising actuators, addressed by a computer.

These displays will be very useful for communicating with and educating the visually impaired. At present, paper pulp boards and piezo electric devices are applied for the purpose. The duration of the project is three years with an outlay of Rs 50 lakh.

More Stories on : Science & Technology | Kerala

Article E-Mail :: Comment :: Syndication :: Printer Friendly Page